The key differences between self-employed people and entrepreneurs lie in their business goals, scale, risk appetite, and growth strategies.

Self-employed individuals are those who operate their businesses or offer their services directly to clients. They typically work independently, such as freelancers, consultants, or small business owners, focusing on sustaining a stable income, maintaining control over their work, and achieving a balance between work and personal life.

Entrepreneurs, in contrast, are focused on creating, developing, and scaling businesses. They often innovate, introduce new products or services, and aim for significant business growth. This path usually involves a higher level of financial risk, investment, and the potential for scalability beyond personal labor and resources. While both paths involve autonomy in work, self-employed individuals focus more on personal income and work-life balance through their skills, whereas entrepreneurs focus on business growth, scalability, and innovation with a higher risk-reward balance.